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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Pasko nanaman muli. There is no doubt Christmas is here, with the Embassy kicking off the holiday season, Filipino style.

Filipino-Americans gathered at the Embassy to celebrate Pasko sa Pasuguan, an evening of prayer, music, food, and merriment, on 15 December 2014.

The evening started with a celebration of the Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Willie Ducusin. The Mass fell on the first evening of Simbang Gabi and was accompanied by songs rendered by Tanghalang Pilipino and Friends.

Spirits were high as guests were serenaded by the Northern Virginia Rondalla who played their rendition of Filipino Christmas songs, and Show Pow, who got the crowd on their feet and singing along to their Christmas power ballads.

The Filipino yuletide season would not be complete without the quintessential Christmas symbol, the parol. Outside the building, guests witnessed the lighting of over 20 lanterns from Pampanga.

Merriment continued as guests partook of the holiday feast—lechon, pancit, lumpia, puto, cake, and salabat.

Paskuhan sa Pasuguan was made possible through the cooperation and generous contributions of various Filipino groups including the Clark Development Corporation; Doer and Naturally Caring Foundation Inc; Ilocano Society of America; Kababayan, Inc; Luming’s; Migrant Heritage Commission; Philippine American Chamber of Commerce; Philippine American Foundation for Charities; Philippine, Arts, Letters and Media Council, and the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association.

PHOTO RELEASEWDC-119-201417 December 2014

Show stopper. Show Pow got guests on their feet and singing during the Paskuhan sa Pasuguan on 15 December 2014. (Embassy Photo by Majalya Fernando)

PHOTO RELEASEWDC-120-201417 December 2014

Ushering the Christmas spirit. The Northern Virginia Rondalla serenaded the audience with popular Filipino Christmas carols during the Paskuhan sa Pasuguan on 15 December 2014. (Embassy Photo by Majalya Fernando)

PHOTO RELEASEWDC-121-201417 December 2014

PHOTO RELEASEWDC-122-201417 December 2014

Christmas feast. Guests feasted on lechon, pancit, lumpia, puto, cake, and salabat as they shared the holiday spirit during the Paskuhan sa Pasuguan on 15 December 2014. (Embassy Photo by Majalya Fernando)

PHOTO RELEASEWDC-123-201417 December 2014

Kumukutikutitap. Parols from Pampanga were lighted outside the Embassy building during the Paskuhan sa Pasuguan on 15 December 2014. The parol, a star-shaped lantern, is one of the most commonly seen Christmas decor in the Philippines. (Embassy Photo by Majalya Fernando)

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